Chapter 3

After he left, Sienna placed a hot coffee on my desk.

"Chloe, if you want to cry, just cry."

"I'm fine."

I smiled at her. "By the way, you interned in the commercial lending department before, right?"

She blinked, nodding.

"Do me a favor."

I unlocked my phone and pulled up the public financing announcement for Tiffany's father's company, Sterling Group.

"Look up the status of their latest loan application. Keep it quiet. Don't leave a paper trail."

Sienna’s eyes widened, but she nodded quickly.

"Got it. I'm on it."

By 9 PM, I received the preliminary audit report for Sterling Group's latest $30 million bank loan.

The status was *Pending Approval*. And one of the key guarantors listed was none other than Ethan Vance.

Of course. The only reason Ethan had climbed onto the Sterling family tree was to secure this massive loan.

His ambition was terrifying.

I kept digging into Ethan’s projects over the past few years. I discovered he had used his executive position to pocket kickbacks and funnel corporate money.

During the five years I thought he was working hard for us, he had rotted to the core.

At 11 PM, Ethan sent two threatening texts.

"The money will be wired first thing tomorrow. Don't do anything stupid."

"If Tiffany finds out about this debt, she'll die!"

I scoffed. "Whether she lives or dies is none of my business. I just want my money."

Before midnight, Aunt Sarah texted me confirming she had received the full wire transfer. She asked how Ethan and I were doing, and if we were finally getting married.

I gave her a brief, bitter reply, and then got ready for my grand entrance at the Skyline Penthouse.

The wedding march was reaching its climax when I walked in. Ethan and Tiffany were standing under a lush arch of white roses, exchanging rings.

The officiant spoke into the microphone. "Tiffany Sterling, do you take Ethan Vance to be your husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer..."

"Objection."

My voice, projected through a Bluetooth microphone I brought, echoed loudly across the ballroom.

"Maybe you should ask her if she's willing to marry a man who is $920,000 in debt, has embezzled $3 million from his own firm, and is currently under investigation by federal auditors."

Every single guest gasped and whipped their heads around.

The color drained from Ethan’s face. Tiffany’s eyes widened in sheer horror.

I walked up the aisle, straight onto the stage, and took the microphone from the stunned officiant.

"Before you answer that, Tiffany, you might want to listen to this."

I raised my phone and hit play.

Ethan's voice, talking to his accountant, blasted through the speakers.

"Chloe is carrying that $800,000 debt. She won't say anything. Once the Sterling loan is approved, I'll use the cash to plug the company's holes. No one will ever know..."

Tiffany turned to Ethan, her white gown shaking as she trembled.

I looked down at Mr. Sterling, whose face had turned a deep shade of crimson. "Ethan used my credit to guarantee his personal debts, and he planned to use your company's loan to cover up his financial crimes."

Before anyone could speak, I played the second audio clip—the recording from last night.

"I'll clean up the $3 million embezzlement for the condo after the wedding. Just don't expose me at the venue, and I'll pay you off."

The crowd erupted into whispers and shouting.

Mr. Sterling slammed his hands on the table and stood up, pointing a shaking finger at me. "Who are you! Stop spreading lies at my daughter's wedding!"

I smiled warmly. "I am Ethan's actual girlfriend of five years. I'm also the co-signer of his massive debt, and the whistleblower who just submitted all the embezzlement evidence to the authorities. The forensic team should be at his office right now."

As if on cue, Mr. Sterling’s phone started ringing off the hook.

The caller's voice was loud enough for those nearby to hear.

I caught words like *loan suspended*, *emergency audit*, and *fraud investigation*.

Ethan lunged forward to grab my microphone, but two security guards—whom I had tipped off beforehand about a potential disruption—tackled him to the ground.

"Chloe! You bitch! You ruined me!" he screamed, pinning his face against the polished floor.

I looked down at him. "You ruined yourself."

"The moment you made me sign that debt agreement and went to sleep with another woman, you should have expected this day."

I turned to Tiffany. She had collapsed into the arms of her bridesmaids, her expensive makeup ruined by tears.

"Tiffany, now you can answer the officiant."

"Tell him if you still want to marry Ethan."